Internode founder exits exec role amid reshuffles

The executive team of South Australian ISP Internode has been reshuffled following iiNet’s AUD$105 million acquisition of the indie carrier.

Founder and MD Simon Hackett has announced that he take leave of his executive role and join the iiNet board in August.

Hackett who is also a significant iiNet shareholder said that the integration between Internode and iiNet technical systems had gone faster than anticipated.

“While I will continue to represent Internode as I always have, I am keen to contribute at a group level, influencing the strategy of the entire iiNet group,” he said.

Hackett’s move comes one week after Internode CTO John Lindsay revealed that he would be taking on the CTO function at parent company iiNet.

The founders move ushers in a raft of executive changes including the shift of Internode stalwart Heidi Angove to head iiNet’s 3FL combined games network which will merge into Internode’s games.on.net service while Internode’s GM for business and government Daryl Knight will now take on this role for the entire group, reporting to Greg Bader, CEO of iiNet Business. Bader was previously iiNet’s CTO.

Hackett, Lindsay, Angove and Knight will remain based in Adelaide. Meanwhile Internode CEO Patrick Tapper is leaving the company entirely. Tapper is expected to complete his 14-year tenure at the end of July.

Hackett said he was pleased with the progress of the network integration including the DSLAM backhaul, inter-capital and international networks.

“This network integration is important because success in our industry really does require scale and efficiency, which means avoiding unnecessary duplication. Our ultimate goal is to become a single, well-integrated organisation that operates multiple strong, respected and loved brands in the market. I’m looking forward to continuing to innovate and disrupt the Australian telecommunications market for the better,” he said.®